Ancillary events planned at Citizens Bank Park

Comcast Spectacor President and COO Peter Luukko announced Monday that the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic won't be the only major hockey event to take place at Citizens Bank Park this winter.

Luukko said the Flyers and Rangers are planning to have an alumni game on Dec. 31. The Adirondack Phantoms, the Flyers' AHL affiliate, will also return to Philadelphia to play the Hershey Bears at Citizens Bank Park on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. ET.

The Flyers, Phillies and the City of Philadelphia are also trying to secure some high school and college hockey at the ballpark, as well as some public skating.

The League is expected to have the rink ready by Dec. 31, so save for the alumni game, the ancillary events at the ballpark will likely be happening after the Winter Classic game is played on Jan. 2.

"We don't want to make this just one great game, but really a celebration and festival of hockey," Luukko said. "In 1967 when Ed Snider started the team, there were probably a couple of rinks and a handful of players (in the Philadelphia area). Today, there are 51 rinks in the area, 71 sheets of ice and over 35,000 kids registered to play hockey in the Philadelphia market. We are a hockey town."